Happy New Year!

Thanks for making 2011 the best year yet for Halifax Shipping News. 2012 will be even better.
Stay tuned!

Mississipiborg Grounded Twice in Pictou

Shipwrecks Log is reporting:

The 135 meter long, 8950 dwt container ship Mississipiborg went aground at Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mississipiborg was attempting to leave port laden with kraft paper at low tide in strong crosswind when it became stuck in the silt and sand. The vessel was refloated two hours later on the incoming tide and returned to harbour where it turned around before attempting to leave port again. On the second attempt, the Mississipiborg went aground again a short distance beyond the spot of the first grounding. The vessel remained aground until the high tide where the Mississipiborg was refloated and departed. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.

I will See if I can find photos of the incident.

Tarago

PCTC Tarago turning prior to backing into Autoport. This was her first visit to Halifax. Tarago is a town in NSW Australia. She was built in 2000, and is owned by Wilhelmsen Lines, Which is why she is red in Colour, as opposed to the majority of Wallenus Wilhelmsen Lines Vessels which call, that are green in Colour.

This photo was sent to me by Jamie. If you have photos you want to share, Post them to our facebook wall @ www.facebook.com/halifaxshippingnews

New Vessels On Hapag Lloyd PAX Service

Looks like Hapag Lloyd has rotated a couple of vessels calling on Halifax.
Today Marks a first time appearance for Rio De Jenaro Express. Lacking the Distinctive Hapag Lloyd markings, she is a relatively new charter from Seaspan.

Another New Vessel scheduled to appear on the run is the Pusan. Its an odd name, since it appears to be lacking the Express part of her name. A Quick search shows she began her life as Pusan Senator, and as of March 2011 was operating as MSC Kenya. She is Due Feb 20. - By this time she may acquire an "express" name

Merry Christmas!

and a Happy New Year.

Snow

Just in time to give us a white Christmas. The port is closed as of noon tomorrow, so Maresk Penang arrived today, instead of the routes normal Saturday stop.

Home For Christmas

CCGS Earl Grey returned to Halifax on the 19th. She was previously undergoing a period of work, including Hull Painting at Shelburne Ship repair.

Shelburne Ship Repair was taken over By Irving shipbuilding, and underwent several Upgrades to accommodate larger vessels. Earl grey was one of the First vessels to be serviced at the newly refurbished yard.

More Traffic For Pier 9

CSL Spirit tied up at pier 9a this morning. This is likely a brief lay up period, before she sails to replace Atlantic Superior at work at Sept-Iles on shuttle service, running iron ore from the pier to larger ships anchored in the bay.

As reported at Shipfax in November, Atlantic Superior will be sailing for Halifax for Hull Work - Probably scheduled after the departure of the Louis St Laurent from the Nova Dock.

Getting Ready for Christmas

CCGS Alfred Needler Looking festive. CCGS Hudson also featured Red and Green Lights, and Several ships at the Dockyard are well lit.

Universal Amsterdam

M/V Universal Amsterdam, a 22000DWT bulk carrier, Arrived fro bunkers Yesterday evening and departed overnight. A relatively new vessel, she was launched on 13th January 2009 and delivered Dutch owners Universal Marine in March 2009.

She is A Self Unloader, however this is done via Crane and Clambshell Bucket, And Difers form the self unloaders typically seen at National Gypsum, which feature unloading booms and conveyor belts.

Busy Day for Pier 9

The Normally quiet Pier 9 has a Busy day today with 2 arrivals.

Jumbo Shipping's Heavy Lift Ship Daniella is due to load Steam Turbine Components. Both ISI's Components, and Jumbo Shipping are regular callers in Halifax - Though lately heavy lift operations Have been occurring At Halterm - Including the Locomotive shipments, which occurred at Pier 9 in Previous years.

The Chemical Products Tanker Sakarya is also Due at Pier 9 this afternoon. Wilson's Fuels has a Spout there to offload to their tank farm on Barrington Street.

GSF Grand Banks for Repairs

The Drill rig GSF Grand Banks Towed by Atlantic Hawk and Maersk Chancellor is due at the pilot station at 0800 Dec 11. She is bound for Woodside for Repairs. Maersk Detector damaged the rig in late November when she struck her off Newfoundland.

She was built as Bow valley 3 For Husky Energy, by St. John Shipbuilding. She is currently Owned By Transocean, and is Drilling in Huskey Energy's White Rose Field. Since the incident, a Scheduled work period for January was moved forward.

GSF Grand Banks

Maresk Chancellor

Atlantic Hawk


Updated Images

HMCS Kingston, Back To work

After a period of layup and then maintenance, HMCS Kingston sailed yesterday presumably for some trials. She spent a portion of the last night anchored in the Basin. The 12 Kingston Class vessels were built as Minesweepers, But also excel as Survey and diving platforms - Their main issue is their slow speed - about 15 knots, which is required for mine-sweeping, but limits their usefulness in other duties.

As A result, a Proposed mid life refit was shelved, and the MCDV's will likely have a shorter then normal life. MCDV Refers to their designation as Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels.

Its Wet Out.

Atlantic Condor Riding out the storm at anchor. Algoma Dartmouth Tied up at Pier9, to be more protected.

Wind south 40 knots with gusts to 50 in the Approaches. Wind becoming west 45 near noon with gusts to 55 then diminishing to 35 early this evening. Wind diminishing to Northwesterly 20 after midnight A few showers ending near noon.

Live Tweeting the Halifax Explosion

Live tweeting is such an awkward term for tweeting events that happened 94 years ago, but I suppose it is less awkward then Historical re-enactment Tweeting..

If you Follow @hfxshippingnews on twitter, you will see I am live tweeting the Halifax explosion. A tweet will occur at the same time key events took place, 94 years ago to the minute.

We all know the story of the Halifax explosion. The Mont-Blanc Laden with explosives, collides with the Imo in the narrows. The Mont-Blanc catches fire, explodes, and flattens the north end, killing two thousand people. What most people don't realize, or appreciate is that every incident has a timeline, and that the players in this incident are already in motion. Your Morning routine is much the same as it would have been in 1917.

Today, vessels are at anchor, and there are expected arrivals and departures, for the most part, residents of Halifax pay no attention. They will get up tomorrow morning, go through the morning routine, send the kids to school, and go off to work. As the tweets come in, you can experience, 94 years later, how your ordinary day, became extraordinary.

Update:
I See @ns_archives will also be doing this with the tag #hfxexplosion